Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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572. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who does not require fuel allowance can apply for telephone allowance separately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47017/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Telephone Support Allowance (TSA) is a weekly payment of €2.50. People who are in receipt of a Living Alone Allowance (increasing their main DEASP payment) and a Fuel Allowance automatically qualify for the TSA. Approximately 128,000 customers are in receipt of the TSA payment. The estimated full year cost of the scheme is €16.14 million.

The primary objective of the TSA is to allow the most vulnerable people access to personal alarms or phones for security. The allowance will also encourage social contact and assist in the prevention of social isolation for those living alone.

Customers who qualify for the TSA automatically receive the payment. There is no application form and they do not have to apply to my Department to receive it. It cannot be claimed in isolation of the other qualifying payments.

If the Deputy is aware of anyone who would be entitled to the Fuel Allowance but who does not claim it, and who wishes to be paid the TSA, I would ask him to advise that person that they should claim the Fuel Allowance they are entitled to, in order to receive both payments. If, however, the person would not qualify for a Fuel Allowance (or if they do not qualify for a Living Alone Allowance), they will not have an entitlement to TSA.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.